Basis for comparison

In reading this op-ed from Haaretz for January 21, keep in mind that Ariel Sharon has just been named in a bribery case.

The separation fence folly is turning into one of the worst scandals in which an Israeli government has become entangled. And it's not because of the political motive: Sharon has engaged yet worse maneuvers to undermine prospects for an agreement, and to perpetuate Israel's destructive nonaction. The fence/wall is such an egregious scandal because of the heedless manner in which a decision was reached to build it. There was never a substantive discussion about it; nor were its negative global implications forecasted. After every last word is said about Sharon's actions and mistakes, the fence and its outrageous manner of construction will remain as a stark symbol of the brawny methods, and reckless disregard of results, of one-man rule. ...

The wall proves that more than Sharon's fundamental policy principles are flawed. The decision's enactment itself has been rife with terrible errors. At first glance, it appears peculiar that Sharon, amid a plethora of political troubles, has allowed himself to get bogged in a mire of international criticism, in an extravagant waste that will cause him to further throw away tens, or perhaps hundreds, of millions of shekels due to rash behavior. But the truth is that Sharon, who originally opposed the fence, has spent this money to promote another one of his improvised tactics. The fence is designed to serve as a makeshift interim solution that shoves aside diplomatic resolutions that the prime minister has done his utmost to derail. The fence was no accident: it embodies the spirit of a man who thinks he can do anything - including creating a futile, latter-day version of the Barlev line - without anyone being seriously consulted. The wall has gone up as a tribute to unbridled political power. ...

Ephraim Halevy, who ever since he was chased away in disgrace from the top position at the National Security Council has become one such critic, urged this week that a "diplomatic, strategic disaster" be averted by convening urgent government discussions of the fence by "public servants." Describing these officials, he referred to the "best brains," and those who have "sound judgment." The best brains? How did Sharon manage to crush the sound judgment which Halevy referred to, somewhat obsequiously? It happened because a tyrant is taking root here. In one of the most dismal moments of his career, Sharon has become a leader who does whatever he wants. In a state where it was not so easy to appeal to anti-Semitism, national anxieties and all the other old ghosts to excuse a gigantic blunder, a scandal such as the separation fence would suffice for a person like Sharon to fall from power.

First, notice that in what the author says there is emphatic support for my contention that Israel - or at least the Sharon government - has been avoiding a peace agreement.

Second, try to imagine a mainstream US newspaper saying something similar about Bush. The narrow confines of what passes for informed political debate in this country are a disgrace.